Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

AA Full HD (High-Definition) Webcam is one capable of recording video at a minimum resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels

QWhat is face tracking on a webcam?

AFace tracking is special software to allow the webcam to recognise the face of the user, and automatically swivel and move to keep their face centre-frame.

QWhy is a microphone useful on a webcam?

AMicrophones are useful extras for a webcam, since they can then be used for full video calls via Skype or Facetime.

Webcam Buying Guide

Most laptops have a built-in webcam these days, although PC owners are not so lucky. Finding the right webcam does not have to be difficult and web cameras are cheaper than you might think. With so much competition between manufacturers like Logitech, Microsoft, HP and Genius, the quality of web cams is constantly improving and some great bargains can be found.

The first step in finding the best webcam to buy is to identify the features you need: Simpler and cheaper webcams will have fewer features and are ideal for staying in touch with friends and family. For professional use, might want a more expensive webcam that supports video conferencing and is capable of producing a high quality image.

Video Resolution (Megapixels)

The resolution of webams has been improving and is no longer as much of an issue as it used to be. Most webcams today have 720p and 1080p Full HD resolution. A higher video resolution will result in a clearer image. If you want to use your webcam for high quality streaming video make sure you choose a cam with at least Full HD (approximately 2 megapixel) or higher resolution such as 2560x1920.

Still Image Resolution (Megapixels)

Many webcams can take higher resolution still images compared to their maximum video resolution. This is ideal if you want to use your webcam to take high quality photos.

Frame Rate

The frame rate states how many images per second your webcam can take, which are then com. Aim for at least 30 frames per second (fps) for standard use to ensure your webcam’s streaming video appears smooth and without judder. For an even smoother, higher quality moving image choose a webcam with 60fps or above.

Not all webcams can retain a high frame rate and a high resolution at the same time. The maximum frame rate you can stream also depends on your video chat application.

Lens Material

Cheaper webcams will have a lens made out of plastic, which is sufficient for Skype calls. Better quality webcams use glass lenses, which produce a higher quality and more vivid image.

Low Light Quality

Some webcams such as those with Logitech’s RightLight Technology can ensure video recorded in low light conditions has sufficient contrast and clarity. If you plan to use your webcam mostly in the evenings or with a reduced light environment, make sure that it can handle low light conditions.

Keep in mind that the image quality you will experience does not only depend on your webcam. The speed of your Internet connection, how fast your computer and graphics card can process and display video, and the resolution of your screen or monitor all affect the final result.

Microphone

Make sure your webcam has a built-in microphone (most do). While the sound quality of a small built-in microphone won’t be great, it will be perfectly sufficient for Skype calls.

Higher end models support noise cancelling. If you are planning on recording seminars or tutorials to post on YouTube you might want to consider investing into an external microphone which will give a much better sound quality.

Some higher-end webcams aimed a video conferencing include a remote so you can control the webcam when sitting in a meeting. Depending on the webcam you can control camera pan, tilt and zoom, volume adjustments and answering and ending calls.

Autofocus, Manual Focus and Face Tracking

Your webcam will attempt to focus on a subject in a scene to make sure the image stays sharp and clear. Face tracking webcams will find your face and stay focused on you. Even if you move around, the camera will quickly refocus on you.

If there is a lot of activity in a scene and your webcam does not support face tracking, the autofocus can get confused and focus on the wrong part of the picture. In this case a webcam that allows manual focussing might be a better solution.

Included Software & Video Effects

Some webcam models come with software that allows you to get creative (or silly!) while recording. You can also use your cam with software that was included with your comouter or that you purchased independently.

Supported Operating Systems

Most webcams include drivers for popular operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OSX. Make sure the webcam you are looking to buy supports the type and version of computer operating system you have installed, particularly if you are running a less common OS like Unix, Linux or older versions such as Windows 8 or Windows XP.

Webcam Retailers, Prices and Features

Webcam Prices

The price range of webcams is from £3 to £429 and in total we found prices for 136 webcams. A new webcam costs on average £54 and 80% of webcams are priced between £9 and £100. The Speed-Link Reflect is the cheapest webcam at only £3, and Digitus DN-16048 is the most expensive at £429.

Webcam Brands - Price Range

The average price of Axis webcams is £377 which is the highest average price of all webcam brands. Axis webcams range in price from £377 to £377.

Livestream webcams range in price from £368 to £368, and the second highest average webcam price out of all brands is Livestream webcams with an average price of £368.

Digitus webcams start at £124 and their most expensive webcam costs £429. The average price of Digitus webcams is £276 which is the third highest average price of all webcam brands.

Webcam Brands - Average Ratings

We have evaluated 786 expert reviews and 15,944 user reviews for webcams written online and used this data to evaluate the average rating for each brand of webcam. The top rated webcam brand is Cisco with an average rating of 95%. The second best brand is Gear Head with 89% and the third best brand is Logitech with 89%.

Biggest Webcam Retailers

The biggest webcam retailer by number of products currently for sale is eBay. We found 66 current webcam offers from eBay. The second biggest webcam retailer is Amazon UK with 54 offers. That means eBay is significantly bigger than Amazon UK when it comes to webcams. Idealo UK is the third biggest retailer with 25 current offers.

When Are Most New Webcams Released?

The most common period for new webcams to be released in is between February and April. That means that most of the latest webcam technology was released in within the last 3 months, and now is good time to buy. Last year most new webcams were released in February, with six new webcams released that month. Six new webcams were released in March 2016 making it the biggest month that year for new webcam releases. The biggest month in 2015 for new webcam releases was April, with nine new webcams released that month.

How Fast Do Webcam Prices Drop After Release?

New webcams drop in price by an average of 7% in the first 6 months after they wer first released. That means that on a typical webcam costing £54 you could save on average £4 by waiting 6 months before buying.

Maximum Video Resolutions

A higher maximum video resolution will increase the sharpness of the images the webcam is recording. A Full HD webcam will have a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

1920 x 1080 (Full HD) pixels is the most popular maximum video resolution amongst new webcams. We found 96 webcams that are webcams that have a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) pixels. The second most frequently found maximum video resolution amongst new webcams is 1920 x 1080 pixels. We found 96 webcams that are webcams that have a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

A higher maximum video resolution will generally result in sharper and higher quality video, although it is not the only factor contributing to the overall image quality of the webcam.

Full HD

A Full HD webcam can record video with a resolution of at least 1920 x 1080 pixels.

Most new webcams are not full HD webcams. 172 webcams out of 265 on Kagoo are not full HD webcams and 90 out of 265 webcams are full HD webcams.

Full HD indicates that the webcam can record at a fairly high resolution, resulting in a sharper picture.

Built-In Microphones

A webcam with built-in microphone allows you to record sound and video at the same time.

The vast majority of the 265 new webcams currently listed on Kagoo are webcams with a built-in microphone. 227 webcams out of 265 are webcams with a built-in microphone.

A built-in microphone is essential when using the webcam for video calls and you will not need to attach an external microphone to your computer or laptop. If you want to use a webcam to record images only, a built-in microphone is not required.

Biggest Webcam Retailers

We found 66 current offers for webcams from eBay making it the biggest webcam retailer. That is significantly bigger than the second biggest retailer, Amazon UK for whom we found 54 current offers for webcams. The third biggest retailer is Idealo UK with 25 current webcam offers.

Which Are the Cheapest Retailers for Webcams?

With the cheapest price on 42 webcams, eBay is most frequently the cheapest webcam shop.

Proportion of Webcams for Which Each Retailer is Cheapest?

eBay most frequently has the cheapest webcam prices (found to be cheapest for 63.6% of its webcams).